Proper vaccine storage, handling, and inventory management are essential to protecting patients, reducing vaccine waste, and maintaining efficient healthcare operations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated two important resources: the Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit and the Vaccine 2D Barcode Scanning Implementation Toolkit. These resources provide healthcare practices with an opportunity to review their vaccine management procedures and identify areas for improvement.
Key Updates to CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance
The CDC’s July 2026 Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit includes updated guidance to help practices strengthen vaccine management procedures.
Key areas include:
- Temperature Monitoring: Guidance on digital data loggers (DDLs), backup temperature monitoring devices, and calibration certificates to support accurate vaccine temperature monitoring.
- Vaccine Coordinators: Recommendations for designating both primary and backup vaccine coordinators to oversee storage, handling, and inventory procedures.
- Temperature Excursions: Guidance for responding to out-of-range temperatures, including separating and labeling affected vaccines “DO NOT USE” while determining their viability.
- Vaccine Preparation: Best practices to reduce administration errors, including limiting predrawn doses and following manufacturer instructions for vaccine reconstitution.
These practices can help healthcare providers maintain vaccine quality, minimize preventable waste, and strengthen patient safety.
Explore the CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit.
Improving Vaccine Inventory Management with 2D Barcode Scanning
The CDC’s Vaccine 2D Barcode Scanning Implementation Toolkit provides resources to help healthcare practices incorporate barcode scanning into their vaccine management workflows.
Vaccine 2D barcodes can contain important product information, including product identifiers, lot numbers, and expiration dates.
Integrating barcode scanning into vaccine inventory and administration processes can help practices:
- Improve the accuracy of vaccine documentation.
- Reduce manual data entry errors.
- Strengthen vaccine inventory tracking.
- Streamline workflows from vaccine receipt through administration and documentation.
Explore the CDC’s Vaccine 2D Barcode Scanning Implementation Toolkit.
Watch: Important CDC Vaccine Management Updates
In this brief video, Frank Combs, Executive Director of CPP Buying Group, highlights key CDC updates and how healthcare practices can apply the guidance to their vaccine management processes.
CPP Vaccine Storage Equipment Grant Program
Maintaining appropriate vaccine storage equipment is an important part of effective vaccine management.
CPP Buying Group offers a Vaccine Storage Equipment Grant Program to help eligible members offset the cost of qualifying vaccine storage equipment.
This member benefit provides additional support to practices looking to strengthen their vaccine storage capabilities.
Learn More About CPP’s Vaccine Storage Equipment Grant Program
Supporting Strong Vaccine Management Practices
Strong vaccine management practices help protect patients, reduce errors, minimize vaccine waste, and improve practice efficiency.
CPP Buying Group is committed to supporting healthcare practices through vaccine purchasing opportunities, educational resources, and programs that strengthen vaccine management.
Have questions about vaccine management or CPP membership benefits? Contact CPP Buying Group.